Escape Wedding & Dessert Party Questions

[Samantha Ellis]

I'm a long-time user of these boards, but a first-time user. I'm still in the very early planning stages for a May 2016 WDW Escape wedding. I'm still very torn between the WP and the Gazebo, and either way the ceremony will be held in the morning.

I'd like to do some sort of dinner or dessert the evening after the ceremony, but even after doing as much research as I could about all of my options, I still don't know what I want to do. Here are some things that I'm taking into consideration:

1. I'm hoping to spend about $1,000-$1,500 on after-ceremony activities (dessert party or dinner), but I am willing to spend more if necessary.
2. The majority of my guests aren't AP holders and will not be spending time in the parks, so if I'm not mistaken (and PLEASE clear this up for me if I'm wrong), in that case some or all of the dessert party options are out.
3. If I'm going with a dinner option, I would like to have some sort of private room and fixed menu (as in two or three entree options and a per person price). Views of any of the fireworks aren't completely necessary, but that'd be icing on the cake!
4. One more thing: I have only been to WDW once (I'm more familiar with DL), and I have NO idea what the differences are between any of the fireworks shows, so that makes it really hard to do any research for DPs. If someone could explain each option to me, like locations, length/content of the shows, and personal preference, I'd REALLY appreciate it!

Bottom line, is any of this going to be doable for me? I'd really like to figure out the post-ceremony activities ASAP so I can begin making necessary reservations. Thank you so much!

 

[lurkyloo]

Welcome!

1. The majority of my guests aren't AP holders and will not be spending time in the parks, so if I'm not mistaken (and PLEASE clear this up for me if I'm wrong), in that case some or all of the dessert party options are out.

Nope! You can do a dessert party anywhere! They just make you pay a $10/guest viewing fee if your dessert party is inside the park.

1. If I'm going with a dinner option, I would like to have some sort of private room and fixed menu (as in two or three entree options and a per person price). Views of any of the fireworks aren't completely necessary, but that'd be icing on the cake!

The only private rooms with views of a fireworks show are those at California Grill, the Attic and Atlantic Dance Hall at BoardWalk Inn (only high IllumiNations fireworks)and supposedly bluezoo at the Swan & Dolphin has a lawn area where you can see high fireworks from IllumiNations. Otherwise, there are tons of options. You can do a private catered event booked through your wedding planner or use a private room at a restaurant by booking directly through the restaurant. If you are OK with an outdoor event, you could do a catered event at the Grand Floridian or Contemporary with a view of Wishes or one at the Yacht & Beach Club Marina for high fireworks from IllumiNations. Or one at any of the dessert party locations inside Epcot for IllumiNations, but the dinner food and beverage minimums are high.

1. One more thing: I have only been to WDW once (I'm more familiar with DL), and I have NO idea what the differences are between any of the fireworks shows, so that makes it really hard to do any research for DPs. If someone could explain each option to me, like locations, length/content of the shows, and personal preference, I'd REALLY appreciate it!

Oh, OK! Well it's all personal preference, there are basically 3 fireworks shows you can do events at: Wishes, IllumiNations, and Fantasmic!

• Fantasmic! at Hollywood Studios is like the one at Disneyland but not as cool (the amphitheater is just not as great a viewing location as Rivers of America) and you are way far back at the top of the amphitheater when you do a private event.
• Wishes at the Magic Kingdom is like an ancient version of the Disneyland fireworks. If you've become accustomed to the splashy "in the round" shows we've had at Disneyland in the last 10 years, Wishes is going to feel very small and old-fashioned. It's closest to the Holiday Wishes show we have at Disneyland, minus all the rad snow, of course.
• IllumiNations at Epcot is my favorite fireworks show at Walt Disney World because you are SO CLOSE to it and the fireworks reflect off the water to neat effect. We chose it for our dessert party sight-unseen because we wanted to have the event inside a park, and we adored it. Some people think it's boring because there's a long section in the middle with just projections on the globe in the middle of the lagoon.

I'm sure there are tons of YouTube videos of all three if you want to compare them.

 

[Samantha Ellis]

Thank you so much! That's incredibly helpful. Just a couple more questions!

1. How would a non-passholder be able to enter the park for the dessert party?
2. So with a catered event, would I have the option to do a set menu? If so, does that mean that I could essentially use any restaurant for this?

Again, thanks so much for the help!

 

[lurkyloo]

1. How would a non-passholder be able to enter the park for the dessert party?

The $10 viewing fee charged by DFTW covers any guest's admission to the park for the dessert party. They don't have to have a day ticket or an AP. They DO have to all meet a guide who escorts them from the gate to your event. Alternatively, if you pay for transportation, everyone will be escorted to the party from the drop-off point backstage.

1. So with a catered event, would I have the option to do a set menu? If so, does that mean that I could essentially use any restaurant for this?

No. A catered event takes place in a space controlled by DFTW/Disney Catered Events. Usually that is a room at a convention center, but they can hold events in a few restaurants on property before they open for dinner, like Jiko, Citricos, Narcoossee's and California Grill. The menus for catered events are completely customizable and you, the host, choose and pay for everything. You can do buffet or a plated meal, but usually everyone gets the same thing or makes a choice on their wedding RSVP card. To offer guests the option to choose what they want right when they sit down is called Crown Service, and it is exorbitantly expensive because the catering staff has to prepare one of everything, just in case.

If you want to eat at a restaurant not available to DFTW/DCE, you would need to book a regular reservation during its normal business hours. Some restaurants do have set menus for large groups, especially those that have private rooms. Others, you'd just have to have everyone order off the regular menu and pick up the tab.

 

[Doodlebug25413]

Buy Carrie's book! And listen to her wedding podcast! It has been super helpful to me & I know a bunch other brides here. It's definitely worth it.
She has the room buy out's in there as well.

We are an April 2016 Escape/ Wedding Gazebo wedding. It's a very simple wedding and package. Not a lot of upgrades you can do like Wishes package.
I've been in the same dilemma as you with trying to figure out a Dessert party or dinner. We opted for a Wishes Fireworks cruise, only because we are a very small group. But definitely Illuminations Dessert party was
initially in the plan. Our budget only allowed for 1 or the other, I couldn't do both a dessert party or dinner. I opted for the dessert part because I wanted to continue on the whole fun part. Our wedding is at 5pm. So if
you're planning a morning wedding, you have a lot of time in between to do a lot.

Here are some pictures I took last month (July) of the Gazebo. It's really a beautiful spot. More secluded from Sea Breeze Point I think. The lawn area is much bigger then what I had anticipated. But still a nice size for a small group
or a larger group. The lawn and gardens are beautifully landscaped. I'll assume that they will plant prettier flowers in the spring. But whatever that pink plant is, it still was pretty. It also has a ceiling fan inside, so if it's hot, you can have that running for you. Unfortunately, there is no cover for your guests. The inside is really only big enough for a small table (as your altar or memorial table) your officiant & the 2 of you. I haven't seen a picture yet I haven't liked of it. Plus you have a lot of photo opportunities all around the Boardwalk area. The Grand F Pavillion is beautiful, but we are not very formal people. So that's why I didn't opt to using it. The garden is still simple, but beautiful.

 

[LeeDonald]

I too am planning an Escape wedding next year and have found the Passporter's Disney Weddings & Honeymoons book to be invaluable (aka Carrie's book!)! It's great because it answers every question you can think of plus if you listen to the Disney Wedding Podcast too it helps make even more sense!

http://www.passporter.com/disney-weddings-honeymoons.php
www.disneyweddingpodcast.com

Good luck with your planning!

 

[Samantha Ellis]

Thank you both! This raises a couple more questions for me.

1. I have heard of the Wishes Fireworks cruise, but I don't know much about the details. What is that like/what does it entail, and do you think it would be a good option for 20-25 guests?
   
   
2. I've seen some pictures of the Gazebo, and I've seen some brown patches in the lawn in quite a few non-professional photos, though yours look great! One of the reasons why I'm starting to favor the Pavillion over the Gazebo is because I feel like you get more bang for your buck as far as decorations go. I think the decor package for the Gazebo is almost as much as the Pavillion, but in the photos for the Gazebo that I've seen, I feel like they just throw some rose petals down and call it decorations, though you might know more about that than me because that's your chosen venue.

Also, I've heard great things about Carrie's book! Once I have the date set (crossing my fingers for May 13th!), I'm definitely buying it.

 

[lurkyloo]

With that many guests you'd need at least 2 of the larger boats for a Wishes cruise. I have more details here:
http://disneyweddingpodcast.com/2012/08/15/illuminations-wishes-fireworks-cruises/

 

[Doodlebug25413]

The pontoon boats will only hold about 10 people each. So agree with Carrie there. It runs about $375 each. Unless you want to splurge and rent the Yacht, but that is pretty pricey. But some brides have done it!
If you are going to have about 20 people, have you considered the new 4 Hour Wishes yet? It's basically a Wishes wedding but you have a shorter time frame for a reception, you have a brunch or lunch meal and it's only on certain days of the week too. (It's in the Passporters book too!) Another option to consider. If you're guest list is 20, you definitely meet that requirement.

When I was there in July, I didn't see any brown patches in the lawn. Besides, nobody is going to care about the lawn, they are going to be looking at YOU!

Here are 2 weddings that the Roots have on their site if you haven't checked them out. And there are tons of Wedding Pavillion photos. That is a space where I don't think any decor would be needed. Keep in mind, you're planning in May, so it's going to be spring time. And Flower & Garden Festival will be happening as well. I haven't decided yet if I'm going to add any of the decor packages they offer. Yea it's an added cost that more then likely pumps up the final price to what the pavillion would be. But it's really about what YOU want. I wouldn't stress on the little stuff.

http://rootweddings.com/blog/2013/11/04/kait-scott-walt-disney-world-yacht-club-gazebo-wedding/

http://rootweddings.com/blog/2011/07/19/erin-rick-wedding-part-i/


This photo, I don't know where I got it from. So whomever the photographer is, my apologies. (I'm horrible with that) But this is without any decor added. When I was there walking around in July, I felt like I was in
a garden from Alice in Wonderland.


No matter which you choose, you are going to have a beautiful wedding. Just keep in mind, it's all about what you want. and don't fret over the little things. That's just going to stress you out.

Sorry I didn't mean to bomb your thread with pictures! I just get excited!

 

[Disneygirl822]

Does anyone have any suggestions for dessert party locations? They offered me Rue dr Paris (the bridge between England and France) but I don't know if its a good viewing location. We are having 12-17 people.

 

[lurkyloo]

I just replied to your other thread with more details, but see if you can get UK Lochside or Italy Isola West.